August 02, 2011

Rangers DFA Rhodes

The Rangers designated Rhodes for assignment on Tuesday, clearing a spot on the 25-man roster for newly acquired reliever Mike Adams.

Rhodes, 41, was 3-3 with a 4.81 ERA in 32 relief appearances, and had seen a diminished role out of the bullpen. He wasn't used in any games between July 4 and July 22.

The club has 10 days to trade, release or outright Rhodes to the minor leagues.

The Rangers signed Rhodes, an All-Star in 2010, in the offseason to a $3.9 million deal in 2011 with a $4 million vesting club option for 2012. The vesting club option would have kicked in if Rhodes made 62 appearances and was not on the disabled list at the end of the season.

The Rangers were able to let Rhodes go after upgrading their bullpen by trading for Adams and Koji Uehara from Baltimore. They still have Darren Oliver -- the lone left-hander in the bullpen now -- to use for lefty-lefty matchups, although Adams and Uehara have been effective against lefties.

Adams, 33, is 3-1 with a 1.13 ERA in 48 relief appearances. Left-handed batters are hitting .194 against him, while right-handed batters are hitting .107.

Letting Arthur Rhodes go was a no brainer. He is providing us with nothing. Feldman is not good, but at least he could provide a spot start if needed. Tateyama is doing too good to let go even though he has options left.